Large Part of Network Linked to Manchester Attack Held, Say British Police

British police have "got hold of a large part of the network linked to the suicide bomb attack at a pop concert in Manchester that killed 22 people, the country's counter-terrorism police chief announced on Friday.

Police officers are seen outside the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester. (Image: Reuters)

London: British police have "got hold of a large part of the network linked to the suicide bomb attack at a pop concert in Manchester that killed 22 people, the country's counter-terrorism police chief announced on Friday.

Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations in the Metropolitan Police Service, said detectives had made "immense progress" in the investigation, but warned there were still "important lines of inquiry" to pursue.

"Further arrests are likely, although police believe they have got hold of a large part of the network," Rowley said. He said police have reviewed security at more than 1,300 events across the UK and urged public not to change any plan and "go out as you planned and enjoy yourselves".

Earlier today, a man was arrested in connection with the suicide attack at the concert by American actress-singer Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena on Monday night.

Greater Manchester Police said the man was taken into custody after a property search at an address in the Moss Side area of Manchester.

With the new arrest, the number of people arrested reached 10, of which two have been released without charge, police said.

"Eight men remain in custody for questioning," a police statement said.

A 16-year-old boy and a 34-year-old woman were the two persons released without charge.

The other eight men, aged between 18 and 38, were being questioned over their involvement in the attack and are expected to be charged soon.

Investigators believe 22-year-old Manchester-born suicide bomber Salman Abedi, from a family of Libyan origin, acted as part of a terrorist network and their focus had been on intercepting his wider network.

Rowley said: "Broadly speaking, as with any investigation of this nature, we are focusing on understanding Abedi's life; forensically examining a number of scenes, reviewing hours of CCTV from the night itself and the hours and before, financial work, communication, digital exhibits, the accounts from hundreds of witnesses and of course enquiries internationally."

Some news reports indicated that security forces were on the hunt for a second device made by Abedi, which may now be with a member of this network.

Abedi was known to UK security services, but his risk to the public remained "subject to review", according to reports. In the Libyan capital Tripoli, Abedi's younger brother 20-year-old Hashem and their father, Ramadan, are being held by special forces linked to the country's interior ministry.

Meanwhile, the manager of a pizza shop raided by police in north England claimed that his friend Aimen Elwafi was one of the eight men in custody as he had inadvertently rented a property to Abedi.

Elwafi is believed to have handed himself to police after news reports revealed Abedi as the suicide bomber.

"He made the connection straight away. He was shocked and panicked when he saw the news, said Mohammed El-Haduri, the manager of St Helens Pizza.

The UK terror threat level remains "critical", meaning another attack could be imminent and additional Army and armed police officers are patrolling major sites, including the transport network, across the UK.

"JTAC (Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre] have assessed that the level of threat should remain at critical while the operation continues. The military are continuing to support the police under Operation Temperer - 1,000 members of the military are assisting in that, said Rudd.

"Twenty-two people have died and 66 people are still in hospital. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, eight people are now in custody, it is a live operation and that will continue," she said.

British police have now resumed intelligence-sharing with their US counterparts after a brief suspension over a series of leaks by American officials to journalists providing details of the Manchester bomb investigation.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson in London today and said the US took "full responsibility" for the leaks.

"This special relationship that exists between our two countries will certainly withstand this particular unfortunate event,"he said.

US president Donald Trump had earlier said the leaks were "deeply troubling".

Meanwhile, the national-level campaigning for the June 8 general election resumed today after local level campaigns restarted yesterday, following suspension in the wake of the attack.